It's TikTok vs YouTube now as Chinese platform tests 60-minute uploads
A view shows the office of TikTok.
Chinese social media platform TikTok is reportedlymulling takingon YouTube by rolling out 60-minute-long videos.
TikTok initially allowed users to upload 15-second-long videos when itwas launched; however, the company has been increasing the limit over the past few years.
It allowed the users to upload 60-second, 10-minute and 15-minutelongvideos in later stages.
Now, it is testing the ability to let users upload 60-minute-long videos, a featurethat isalready available to a limited group of users in select markets. However, TikTok said itdoesn't have anyimmediate plan to roll out the feature worldwide.
But when that happens, TikTok willbe directly competingagainst US social media giant YouTube, Google's video streaming platform.
Why long-form videos?
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TikTok said it wants to give opportunities to the creators to be flexible with the content length and to try something new.
It said some creators would constantly demand the ability to upload longer videos as they wanted more time forthings likecooking demos, beauty tutorials, educational lesson plans, comedic sketches and more.
With the new feature, TikToknowhopes to attract those creators to its platform who post long-form videos on YouTube.
Today, creators have to break up their content into several episodes to upload longer content.
Other features
TikTok has been testing some other features over the past few months thatare aimedat enhancinguser experience for those who consume longer content.
It introduced horizontal full-screen mode and video-scrubbing thumbnails. Last year, the company rolled out an option for viewers to fast-forward videos by holding down the right side of the screen.
Also read:`Part of American life`: After TikTok, eight TikTokers sue US government over potential ban
With its new plans, it has become clear the company won't shy away from taking on YouTube head-on.
However, it is not clear when would TikTok launch the feature worldwide or if itactuallyplans to do so or not.
Which platform is more popular in US?
YouTube surpasses TikTok in total US users, with 83 per cent of surveyed adults saying they preferred YouTube compared to 33 per cent for TikTok. Among 18 to 29-year-olds, 62 per cent use TikTok, while 93 per cent use YouTube.
However, TikTok leads in minutes watched, with adult users projected to spend an average of 55 minutes daily on the platform, five minutes more than YouTube.
(With inputs from agencies)